The Shanghai government listed new regulations for experienced professionals applying for permanent residency today in an attempt to boost its competitiveness to attract talent from throughout China.

To qualify for permanent residency, applicants must hold a Shanghai Residency Card and have lived in the city for at least seven years.

Residency card holders have to be local taxpayers and should have been in the city's social security program for at least seven years.

Other requirements include professional skills and technical qualifications, a clean credit history and no police record.

The regulations give priority to professions in demand in the city including skilled technicians, teachers, doctors working in the suburbs and individual investors.

The city will also draw up plans to attract more foreign talents.

(Shanghai Daily February 23, 2009)